PAGE SIX The Community News, Friday, February 22, 2013
By Pastor Mark McCready Alma Bible Church, Alma
We all need advocates When was the last time you relocated to a new community and had to find a new job? How hard was it to make friends? How hard was it to get the job? My wife and I moved to Alma just a little more than two years ago so that I could take a new job as pastor of Alma Bible Church. The transition had its challenges, but I knew some people who helped to make the transition easier. In fact, as I look back, one thing that has made a huge difference every time I have relocated was having some kind of referral - someone who could
speak on my behalf, introduce me to others, someone to help me have a fresh start. I don’t know how many times I have been told that success in this world is in part determined by “who you know.� References are important. They are key when it comes to applying for a job. They often introduce us to new people who sometimes become new friends. There is a story found in the New Testament of the Bible that is a perfect illustration of what I am talking about. In the book of Acts, chapter nine, we learn of a guy named Saul (sometimes known as Paul). This man was pretty highly regarded among his Jewish friends. His reputation was gained through a number of things: he was highly educated,
well trained, and was extremely passionate for his religion. His passion showed in his hatred for these new Christians that were cropping up. Saul was known to make life difficult for them. Talk about bullying - this guy was the bully of all bullies. One day Saul made his way to a town north of Jerusalem, and on his way he has this miraculous encounter. He meets Jesus. Suddenly Saul’s life is turned upside down. He goes from being a passionate Jew to a passionate Christian. The only problem is that, because of his past, this community of Christians doesn’t trust him. Enter the hero‌Barnabas. Despite everyone else’s fears, this guy stands up for Saul, befriends him and advocates
for him. Right when Saul feels all alone as he tries to enter into a community that he has alienated with his hatred, Barnabas stands up and brings him in as his friend. What a powerful gesture. Who of us has not wished we had a friend like Barnabas at one time in our lives? Someone who would stand up for us. Someone who would defend us and advocate for us. So what? Why do I tell this story? Because each of us need an advocate, a Barnabas, at some point in life. Many of us will find ourselves having to relocate to a new town or be looking for a new job. We will find ourselves entering into a new community and longing for friendship, an opportunity to connect. Having a friend
like Barnabas in these situations gives you an advantage, an edge towards getting started on that right foot. Of course advocates aren’t only helpful when you are moving. Some of us are already a part of a community but we have alienated ourselves through some personality or character flaw, or some addiction that we have had to overcome. Advocates are very helpful here, too. If our life is filled with people who have lost trust in us, or people who want to keep their distance because they are unsure of us, an advocate can help. They allay fears, speak to uncertainties, encourage others to give us another chance and assure them that we have changed. What a blessing that
would be. Who of us has never thought about wanting a fresh start? The best way to get that fresh start is to have a Barnabas in our life. Perhaps, with a little effort we could be a Barnabas to others as well. As I think about this, Barnabas is also something of an illustration of someone who is far greater and serves the same role far more effectively in a far more significant situation. I am thinking of Jesus. Are you being a Barnabas for someone? Do you have a story to tell about someone who was a Barnabas for you? I would love to hear your stories. Do you have questions? Either way, feel free to send me an e-mail at office@almabiblechurch.ca.
Nominations invited for contest to recognize those who ‘make hockey happen’ Kraft Hockey Goes On is helping Canadians share their passion for the game by recognizing local individuals who make hockey happen in their communities across Canada. Through the program, 25 individuals will be celebrated and $1 million will be awarded to Hockey Canada-affiliated organizations.
Nominations are now open and can be submitted at www. KraftHockeyGoesOn.ca. “We’re looking for those special individuals who go the extra mile – the Zamboni driver who polishes the ice before every game, the peewee coach who teaches kids how to skate and hold a stick, and the parents who drive car-
LOVERS OF THE
pool no matter how early their kids’ practices are,� the company states in a press release. The top five individuals across the country who keep hockey going will each be awarded $100,000 for their chosen local minor hockey associations, and an additional 20 individuals (four per region) will be awarded $20,000 each.
“Imagine the hockey equipment, ice time, tournaments and upgrades your minor hockey association can get with that,� the release notes. From now through to March 8, 2013, Canadians can nominate someone who dedicates their time and effort to ensure hockey goes on within their community by visiting
Celebrations
BStudy I Rof Hawks DS (Part 1)
Hawks are fascinating but challenging to identify. Speed, distance and elevation are contributing factors. Peterson’s Field Guide to Birds breaks this category down nicely. “Hawks, Eagles etc. Family-- Accipitridae. Diurnal (active chiefly during daylight) birds of prey, with hooked beaks, hooked claws. a) ACCIPITERS (Bird Hawks)--Subfamily Accipitrinae. Long- tailed woodland hawks with short, rounded wings. Typical flight is several quick beats and a glide. Sexes similar; females larger. Birds of Ontario by Andy Bezener classes Sharp-Shinned and Cooper’s as common migrant, rare breeder or winter resident. Northern Goshawks are uncommon year-round, elusive in summer. In 2006 I spent much time trying to identify a bird perched in a spruce outside our house. Eventually I identified it as an immature Goshawk by its vertical stripes on the chest. Feeding: These species pursue small birds and mammals through forests. b) HARRIERS--Subfamily Circinae. Slim hawks with slim wings, long tails. Flight low, languid (lacking in activity or quickness), gliding, with wings in a shallow V. Sexes unlike. They hunt in open country. Birds of Ontario classes Northern Harriers as “uncommon to common in our area. Feeding: hunts in low, rising and falling flights for small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates.� c) BUTTEOS (Huzzard Hawks)--Subfamily Buteoninae. Large thick-set hawks with broad wings and wide rounded tails. Habitually soar high in wide circles. Much variation, sexes similar, females larger. Young birds are usually streaked below. Birds of Ontario classes Red-Tailed as common to abundant year-round. Red Shouldered are uncommon to fairly common breeder; rare winter resident. Rough-legged are rare to common in winter, extremely rare breeder. Broad-Winged are migrants, fairly common breeders. Feeding: most eat small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and some large insects. Red-tailed scan for food while perched or soaring. Red-Shouldered detect food while perched or flush out by low flight. Rough-Legged search for food while soaring and hovering. Broad-Winged swoop from a perch such as a telephone pole. The March column will continue the hawk study. Incidentally earlier this month, my husband and I spotted a Common Redpoll which we have never seen before and a Pine Grosbeak (last seen by us in 2008). Until next month, Susan Warren.
Do you know someone with a birthday Coming up? Let everyone know with a celebratory ad! Email your celebration ad details to drayton@wellingtonadvertiser.com or call 519-638-3066
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FROM PAGE ONE officials feel erosion of a railway embankment along the river factors into potential for flooding in Drayton. However, the railway company disagrees. In an August 2012 letter to the municipality, included in the Feb. 5 council meeting package, CN Rail public works manager Stefan Linder states, “CN does not consider the presence of its infrastructure to be the cause or influence of flooding further downstream within the Town of Drayton, as the entire area is located within the flood plain of the Conestogo River.� Linder said a review of site conditions by CN Environmental determined
“there does not appear to be a sediment-loading issue in the Conestogo River in the vicinity to the CN crossing concrete footing, as documented in the conservation authority’s report. However this sedimentation loading appears to be the result of an unstable bank, upstream of the CN bridge support, where the top of the bank is approximately 30 to 40 feet above water level. There does not appear to be any direct connection between the CN bridge support and the sediment loading in this area of the river. “In the absence of the CN bridge support, the upstream bank would likely still be eroding and would cause the sediment loading issue.�
Flood control funding plan
Christian Reformed Church
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88 Main Street East, Drayton www.draytoncrc.org
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Join us in worshipping God on Sunday, February 24
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10:00am: Pastor Les will lead morning worship
Psalm 73 – New Insight for Life
7:30pm: Pastor Les will lead evening worship Isaiah 2 – Isaiah: The Highest Mountain
A SPECIAL INVITATION Please join us for evening worship every 2nd, 4th, & 5th Sundays.
Drayton Location 10 Wellington St North Unit 1, Drayton
Fergus-Elora
Driving School
“Collision-Free Driving for a LIFEtime� In business for 21 years.
New Deluxe City Package call for Details
7708 16 Line, Mapleton R.R.#4 Arthur ON, N0G 1A0 th
Phone: (519) 848-3488 or 1-800-265-9166 Fax: (519) 848-3857 Email: beersseeds@sympatico.ca
ing funds for their chosen minor hockey association will be announced on March 30. For additional details about the program, visit www.facebook. com/KraftHockeyGoesOn.
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Beer’s seeds ltd.
Producers of Premium Quality Birdseed for Wild and Domestic Birds
www.KraftHockeyGoesOn.ca A panel of judges will narrow the nominations down to the top 100 nominations. Canadians can then vote online for their top choice amongst the 100 nominees from March 23 to 24. The top nominees receiv-
Saturday, February 23rd 8pm Drayton Arena $10 @door
Gift Certificates Available MTO Approved Beginner Driver Educational Course Provider
DrivING Course:
March Break Course
ON SALE! Over $100 in savings!
March 11,12,13 & 14
519-638-9990
www.ferguseloradrivingschool.com
ter Regis !!! Now